The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-12-29
manitomoe pilot.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1887.
"OId January"

Ira Jenree, the veteran gambler who
died of old age and general debility at
the Gedney House on Monday, says the
New York Tribune, was known to the
sporting fraternity throughout the
Union as .Old January" He began
his career as gambler about 1854,
previous to which he was card writer
at the st. Nicholas Hotel. His first
experience as the proprietor of a
gambling-house was at Broadway and
Fulton streets. His partner was Ed
ward Kline, who died years ago leav-
ing a fortune of 100000. "Old JAN
uary" amassed a snug sum here and
afterward opened an establishment at
No. 573 Broadway, which was extern
sively patronized by southern lovers
of faro. Later he opened game at
No. 5 Barclay street, which tiourished
for a long time. He was also inter-
ested in house in Twenty-eight
street.
In the course of his gambling career
he made and lost six or seven fortunes.
At one time his wealth was estimated
at 100000. He was over 20, and died
almost destitute. Many gamblers of
this city knew him when he was a
shigh roller" and more than one
helped him when he was actually in
need of meal and a place to sleep.
He leaves a wife.
"Old January swore by the code of
honor, yet his notoriety was gained by
a desperate shift which the most I'M
scrupulous gambler of to-day would
scarcely have the courage to try. The
old man often told the story on him
self and the late John Morissey
vouched for its truthfulness.
1t was the winning of a fortune on
the wager of a lozenge that made him
famous among his kind. He had
risked and lost his last dollar at Nor
rissey & Dancers combination game
in Broadway, near Bond street, and
the dealer was waiting to 90 on with
the play.
Il was lost for bit, "Old January
used to say in telling the story. land
vas about to shell out for home when
something like an inspiration came to
me. While fumbling in my pocket !
found lozenge. pulled it out in a
thoughtless kind of a way, and when
my eye lit on it l saw that it looked
like check. Without saying word
| | laid the lozenge on q card and cop
| pered it. The dealer thought it was
| all right and the game went on. Luck
was my way; | won, and the dealer
| showed dollar check to me across
| the table. | wagered the check and
| won again, and when | left the table
had $4,000. Next day it grew to 49,
600, and before the end of the week il
was $40, 0OO-every dollar won on the
wager of that lozenge."
When asked if he was nervous while
the lozenge was doing duty as check,
| he said:
at was the greatest trial of my life,
I think. Excitement and dread OF
losing made me perspire and tremble
all over. If | had lost my reputation
might have suffered seriously, you
| See."
The old gambler had no respect for
the value of money. Dollars were
| mere playthings to him, and he
| wagered a fortune with as much indif-
ference as an amateur wagers beans.
He gambled with one foot in the grave.
Though i'll and almost destitute he
visited his old haunts until two weeks
before his death, 'bucking the tiger
with his last cent. He paid his debts
with scrupulous promptness. At the
| Gedney House, where he breathed his
| last, he did not owe dollar.